Every college campus has 21-year-olds who drink on the weekends. There are parties and bars with alcohol that seem never-ending. So, how do you stay safe from drink spiking on or off campus?
Drink spiking is when alcohol or other drugs are intentionally added to someone’s drink without their knowledge or consent. If someone sees a drink that is not being watched or held by the person drinking it, a substance can get put into or onto the drink quickly and quietly. The person’s drink who got spiked usually has no idea their drink is drugged.
Sometimes, the spiking of a drink is more alcohol added to the already alcoholic drink or a non-alcoholic beverage; someone then adds alcohol into the drink. Other times, specific drugs are used.
According to The University of Colorado Boulder, most of these sexual assaults, which are referred to as drug-facilitated sexual assaults, are done by friends, partners, exes, online friends, and people at parties.
Date Rape Drugs
Date rape drugs are used to make a sexual assault or attack easier for the perpetrator. According to the Office on Women’s Health, a perpetrator could use any drug of their choice to spike their victim. It doesn’t have to be just the “date-rape drugs.”
Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), and ketamine are all listed as common date rape drugs by the Office on Women’s Health. The Office on Women’s Health also states that date rape drugs are not all the same. Some drugs are pills, liquids, or powders. Some drugs may be tasteless or odorless as well. Perpetrators may put drugs directly into the cup so it mixes with the drink, or put them around the rim of the cup or can so they’re ingested when you sip.
Symptoms of Drink Spiking
Florida State University has an online page with information on the symptoms of being spiked and signs of a spiked drink. The symptoms listed below are what to look out for.
- Feeling drunk, woozy, or drowsy
- Feeling “out of it,” or more drunk than expected
- Mental confusion
- Speech difficulties (such as slurring)
- Memory loss
- Loss of inhibitions
- Nausea and vomiting
- Breathing problems
- Muscle spasms or seizures
- Lowered body temperature and blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness
- An unusually long hangover
- A severe hangover when you had little or no alcohol to drink
How to Protect Yourself and Your Friends
As women, we all have to look out for one another, so if you see anyone experiencing the symptoms listed above, please get them help immediately. One way you can protect yourself and your friends in social settings is by using different products that are on the market.
One company called NightCap sells scrunchies that you can wear on your wrist to slide on top of your open drink at the bar. Another prevention tool is the StopTopps stickers placed onto the open drink container to prevent anything from getting inside the cup. You take a straw and poke it into the sticker. That’s it, super easy!
Also, the Spikey Anti Drink Spiking Stopper, sold on Amazon, works to clog the top of your glass bottle but allows for a straw to go in the middle so that you can still drink safely.
Safety Tips for Going Out
It’s essential to always stay safe and feel safe. When going out to clubs and parties, stick together and don’t leave anyone behind, especially if you and your friends are drinking. Also, don’t take or accept drinks from strangers or people making you uncomfortable.
Another tip is to check any bottles or cans you get, ensure the lids are shut, and that there’s nothing on the bottle or can. Lastly, if the drink tastes or smells weird, stop drinking it and throw it away!
No matter where you’re reading this article from, please remember to stay safe!
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